NZeder

??? are you saying that you are expecting a 3.9 to be a bigger unit? This is not the case a R200 is a R200 no mater what ratio is in side. If you did not pull the back cover and see the number stamped into the crown wheel then how do you know 100% what you have? A 3.36 should have 37:11 on it. What is powering your zed? If a V8, turbo L28, V6 etc like Jon said then I would think this would be better suited to these engines with the right transmission. I am going the other way - pulling out a 3.9 to install a 4.11 as the 4.11 is better suited to my L28 with my Skyline R32 gearbox (same mod as installing the 240sx gearbox but the Skyline is shorter so no drive shaft mods as it is the same lenght as the stock B box). If your car still has a L6 engine then the 3.36 would have meant you can stay in any given gear longer = slower reving but higher speed vs a lower ratio (ie 4.11)

Cool thanks for that - question for you do you know what the clearances between the front of the caliper and the hub front is So I want to know if the caliper sticks out more than the face of the hub and by how much - so I can check if this setup would clear my RS Wantanabes - as these don't have much difference between the back of spoke and the mounting face. Regards Mike

I have just one question - why engineer this when Wilwood have a listing for a Hat for the Z. The part number is 170-1754. See page 25 of this PDF price list http://www.wilwood.org/racerpricelist.pdf The specs of this hat are - 1.41" offset (not sure if that is for a 240z hub or 280z hub) 4x4.50 PDC on 8 x 7.00" So if the offset is the same as the one you guys are making then this would be the same just a little bit more $$ (as your kit includes the caliper braket correct?) but this might be good for us non US based guys?

From the research I have done - and going by the OBX HLSD that I purchased that is designed for the 240sx S13/S14 Base/SE/LE models, these all take the 29spline 30mm shafts = same as the open shafts. So if you pickup some S13 open inputs that have the 6 bolts setup then you should be in business for a long nose R200 with a open or CLSD center

So that would be the passenger side on my RHD car

Matt - great stuff so we will know for sure if the S15 HLSD will take these 88 SS shafts Now with regards to "only the drivers side" thing - with the HLSD you don't need the longer VLSD passenger input shaft as the HLSD is different and requires two shorter inputs much like the CLSD and open centers. So if the one drivers side shaft you get does fit the S15 HLSD then just pick up another drivers side. Not sure which side has the shorter shaft (my car is still in bits and I am now only just starting to work on the rear end) on the 300ZXT (Z31) but if you install two of the shorter units this will over come the binding/fliping requirements when doing the CV conversion?

Who makes that solid diff mount you have there?

I have watanabes on my car they have 4.5" Backspace and clear stock suspension hope that helps....here is a pic

Why buy secondhand ones then you can get new. Not 85mm stroke but 83mm (ie LD28) but fully counter weighted, forged etc. See crank bottom left or in a kit with rods and pistons at the top. http://www.kameariengineworks.co.jp/page5.htm Price is right up there but what a special engine with one of those fully counter weighted cranks

It is a very popular swap here in NZ in one type of race class that allow upto 2050cc 4 cylinders - there is a 510 with this installed, only found this out while trying to find out what direction they spin in - might have to look into that one as they are a powerfull motor in stock form.

You might be right - I thought Honda spun the other way but now I am not so sure as Honda changed the K20A engine to spin the normal way so maybe they did the same with the S2000 engine. EDIT: Found this on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_F20C_engine does not say what direction the engine spins in but does state it has more in common with the new K series engines which do spin the normal way. Again given this R200 Kit assume they do

They do spin the other way - makes transmissions hard to get

Ok I might have found some more details on the VLSD shaft issue. Now it appears that Nissan have swapped a few times. Yep these changes do not help if you are wanting to pick a cheap VLSD shortnose and install it in your long nose. I found this on a drifting site (driftworks.com) Well it gets worse than that - someone came back to say they have found that there are indeed two type of shafts for the S14 range also it appears that these changed 1/2 throught the S14 production. Also on this forum in the same thread (see http://www.driftworks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1208 ) there is talk about the two different shafts sizing - ie 30mm and 31mm. Now given the other threads on this site "OBX" etc it would appear this is true the 29spline shafts are on a 30mm shaft and the 30splines on the 31mm shaft. This info is for the S13/14/15 only I have not done research on the Skyline range or other JDM Nissans that were RWD fitted with R200 short VLSD. Our Long Nose diffs (open and CLSD for these type of diffs) require 29spline 30mm shafts. The 88SS VLSD has 30spline 31mm shafts (assume given info on this site never seen a set and might not ever in this part of the world). It would also appear that all open centers be they long nose or short nose all take the 29spline 30mm shafts. All S13 VLSD take the 29spline 30mm shafts so don't get one of these the open shafts don't have the long bit to engage the Viscous center = open diff. The early S14 have the 29spline 30mm VLSD centers also. But the later S14 VLSD require the 30spline 31mm shafts. The S15 Helical also requires the 30spline 31mm shafts and I assume so do the S15 VLSD. So anyone here who has successfully done the VLSD conversion using the 88SS shafts (ie Sean73) do you know what car the VLSD center came from? If it was from as S14 it must have been a later S14. Again all this is for the S1x cars I have no idea on the Z32's, Skylines or other short nose VLSD centers and what shafts they require. With all this differences I assume this is why on the S13/14/15 type sites state when changing centers always get the input shafts that match the center. This is not too much help for use with the older type cars that don't have the alxes passing through the hubs like these new models, we need to know more about the center we are purchasing to ensure it will work with our shafts. So if you have R200 Uni joints with the 260z/280z plug in inputs then you can't use a VLSD from any car as they are not long enough to engage the Viscous center. So if you want a LSD you have the choice of CLSD center from a number of manufactures, Nismo, KAAZ, or HLSD from Quaife (must have 29spline given they list a part number for our long nose diffs), OBX 240sx unit for S13 (what I have and can confirm the 29spline 30mm shaft is required). If you go VLSD you will need to ensure you get a VLSD that take the 30spline 31mm shafts then pickup a set of 88SS CV shafts, some matching companion flanges (see Ross from MM) and you are in business. VLSD know to work with this setup is the Infinity J30 VLSD center see this site for details http://www.zrelated.com/VLSD.htm and assume the later S14 or S15 VLSD centers. Now given that S15 helical units also require the 30spline 31mm shafts I would assume the same would apply - pick up a S15 Helical center, some 88SS shafts, companion flanges and you are in business - anybody care to try this and lets us know if this is a solution? The only issue with might be the long Viscous shaft might need to be cut down for the Helical unit. Now I would give this a go if I could A: get the 88SS shafts local B: not purchased the OBX Helical center already. The only other option is custom shafts/flanges with whatever center you install. So I hope that clears some of the shaft issues up.

Not sure yet - depends on the preload I will want on the setup. I believe these washers will determine the preload and thus if some torque will still be transferred to a wheel when no load ie wheel off the ground etc. Most of the info out there on how to set these up on the OBX relates to the Honda centers which are smaller FWD units (they have 5 helical gears on each alxe where as the R200 has 6) also the Honda's have 6 belleville washers mine had 8. Another local (NZ) 240z owner has ordered a OBX unit so I will discuss with him what he thinks is best - he is an engineer and will have a much better idea on how to setup the preload etc as his work has him designing custom manufacturing systems/machines.

As to which is better again like others have stated driving style or how you like the rear end to feel will be a personal thing. As I have not installed it yet (and my car has been off the road for almost 9 years) and I have not driven my CLSD for years I can't compare. Having said that I believe a local circuit racer changed from a CLSD to a Helical center and his lap times were lowered by just over a 1's a lap (takes 57 seconds to 1:20seconds - depends on the car/driver on this track) so 1's is quite a bit just by changing the center. In this case the drivers style might be better suited to the Helical center. In circuit racing the helical unit will put more torque to the outside wheel on a turn but the CLSD will just drive both. Drifters don't like the helical units as they try and prevent the drift from occuring - so they want CLSD or lockers. I am going the helical as my car will be a road car that will take to the track on the odd club day so this will be a better setup than the CLSD with a high torque setting. I am not a diff expert but from the research I have done the helical is the solution for me and my application (personal choice) as jmortensen this has been discussed to death ie

What I paid for it years ago - so it will now be in the V8 powered 240z that races in Super GT's. I have know Greg for years and he usually runs welded diffs he had one CLSD but that was busted on the new Taupo track - very tight and with 500ft/p and 500ish HP it just tore the cage apart.

I would say yes if you have a 10mm ring gear if you have the later 12mm ring gear you are in luck - like I was with my 4.11 (from a Skyline R30). I see there are now some listed on ebay for just $375 + shipping now that is a good price for a Helical LSD center ($15 cheaper than what I paid ) that will work with standard open shafts

Ok given I have one of the OBX units for a 240sx I can confirm the following. Standard 29spline on 30mm input shafts are required. So that is if you already have done the standard 300ZXT (Z31) CV conversion these will work. If you have a standard open R200 with universial joins then the standard input shafts will also work on these OBX units again as they have 29splines on the 30mm shaft. Most of the other dicussion is about using one of the S15 Helical units and whether the later VLSD or 88SS VLSD shafts will work with these units. So back to the OBX question if your input shafts are 29spline on a 30mm shaft then these will work with the OBX Helical centers that are for sale on ebay. Hope this helps - Also from the research I have done the only issue with these OBX units is the Belleville Springs/Washers as some have failed/broken - so I will be looking into replacing these.

You might be on to something there (assume Nissan must have used a different partner for these centers) I did read in my many searches last night that the later/last S14/S15 VLSD does have a different input shaft. I also believe the R230V is different now what are the chances of these being the same as the R200H (Helical unit). So if someone has R230V shafts and can confirm they have a 30 spline on 31mm shaft (30.65mm maybe?) then the standard R230 shaft setup and MM flanges could do the trick. So let have a summary so far. Open = 29 spline 30mm shaft (long or short) S13/S14/Skyline/Cefiro etc R200V 29 spline 30mm shaft (short) 88 SS = 30spline 31mm shaft (long) R200C = CLSD 29 spline 30mm shaft (long or short) OBX Helical = HLSD 29 spline 30mm shaft (long or short 12mm) Quaife Helical = HLSD 29 spline 30mm shaft (long or short) Z32TT R230V = 30spline 31mm shaft (short)?? S14/S15 Late R200V = 30spline 31mm shaft (short)?? R34 Skyline R200V = ???? S15 R200H Helical = 30spline 31mm shaft Maybe I will visit a local Nissan wrecker (Breaker) and see what is what on all the models they have in stock

Ok I pulled my OBX apart tonight - I have also done some more web surf'n and a number of sites/forum say it is a good idea to replace the Belleville Spring/Washers as these appear to be a weak link in these OBX units - so I will look into this. Anyway here are some pics of the disassembled diff (click on the thumbnail to get a larger pic) The Belleville Springs/Washers were in the following layout ((()())) a total of 8 in use.

hmm now the OBX unit I purchased was for a 240sx base (open diff), SE and LE (VLSD) cars. Now I know that the 300zxt Z31 4 bolt shaft go in fine and they are 29 spline on 30mm shaft. I did a lot of research on the shaft requirements before I ordered my OBX center as I wanted to be sure it would work with my Z31 turbo shafts. All roads lead me to believe it would be a 29 spline - so it was still a $515 USD (including shipping to NZ) gamble as if I was wrong and the VLSD did use a 30 spline shaft I was shafted. Now with this info and the post by Sean73 about his 240sx VLSD conversion using the Z31 88SS/SE (whatever) shafts where he states are a 29 spline shaft the only different between the open shafts and the VLSD shafts will be that one of the VLSD shafts must be longer to engage the VLSD center. The HLSD for sure have the different spline count of 30 this is the reason you need the HLSD shafts and I am sure that the post on SR20 forum was a typo and should have stated you need the HLSD shafts. If you have an open and go to the VLSD you need the VLSD shafts only so it will work - it is my understanding that the open shafts will go in but they are not the right length to engage the VLSD = still open Here is a pic showing the Z31 shafts next to a S13 VLSD shafts (not my pic) you can see the longer unit for to make the VLSD work but the spline and size looks the same to me. this image is from this thread on ozdat - This links jump to post 33 which tell you what the spline count is on the S15 Helical unit = 30 spline on 30.65mm. A good thread recommend you look over this http://www.ozdat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4034&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=vlsd&start=33 Also see this thread http://forums.freshalloy.com/showpost.php?p=1190645&postcount=3

This might help answer the question about the 88 SS shafts. FYI the 200sx (my part of the world no 240sx) guys that install these Helical centers into either a open or VLSD have to replace the input shafts for the ones that come with these Helical units. So they are different to the 200sx/240sx VLSD. Now with the above info see this post http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=515935&postcount=13 Result 88 SS shafts will not work with the HLSD from a S15 you will need custom shafts to match the S15 HLSD input shafts that you must get with the center.....until someone confirms this in person I will believe that the above is true and correct This also backs up the statement that the 88SS? Or is it 88SE VLSD shafts will not work as they only have 29 spline count on a 30mm shaft but are the right length to plug into the VLSD to make it work (with stock shafts it is still an open diff as there is no long one to engage the VLSD). These HLSD from S15 have a 30spline on a larger shaft http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=94608

Just found some pics of the S15 HLSD but you bet me too it anyway it would be good to know if the 88 SS shafts work as this could be a cheaper alternative as many drifters don't like the HLSD and pull them out to install CLSD so you could pick these up for less than an OBX unit (however as we did not get the 88 ss downunder finding shafts would be the hardest/$$ part) so currently the OBX is the most affordable solution locally for me and given I have the unit sitting on the garage floor next to my 4.11 it is

Correct the S15 6speed SR20DET Spec R locally have them. I believe they are made for Nissan by these guys. http://www.gkndriveline.com/gkn-driveline/jsp_en/solutions/tmd/hg.jsp The input spline might be different I'm not sure as I have not seen one yet but the ones that show up on evilbay (I am sure that is what the wife thinks) always have the shafts with them. A number of newer cars now come with these type of Helical Gear centers. S15 one example, MX5 another and I am sure many many more. I am sure that in the next few years more and more of these Torsen/Helical Gear centers will become available - however until then I will try this OBX unit I now have.

Time to drag an old thread back I found this while looking for info on the OBX diff. This has a good write up on the strip and re-assembly of these units. http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1752849&page=1 Now I have purchase one of these OBX 240sx units and they are the 12mm type and the normal open diff spline setup ie 30mm with 29 splines. I have a long nose R200 12mm type (from a R30 Skyline) that I plan to install this unit into. But I am thinking I might just follow the above thread and strip and inspect to ensure the washers are in the correct order )()()( I will take pics also and post here also. Watch this space - also might take me a while work is nuts currently